Mission Date: December 11, 1943
EMDEN, SUB YARDS
100th BG Mission #: 49
Mission Summary
Subject: Operational Narrative, December 11, 1943, Emden.
TO: Commanding Officer, 100th Bombardment Group (H) AAF.
1. Twenty-six A/C including five spares took off from 0815 to 0835 hours. The 100th Group assembled over splasher #6 at 12,000 feet at 0920 as briefed, with the spare A/C above the Group. The 100th Group joined the 13th Combat Wing at 51 57 N, 0 53 E from the west, rather than the east as briefed. The time was 0932 hours and altitude 12,500 feet. The 100th was flying high group with the 390th A leading and the 390th B group low. The 13th Combat Wing formation was excellent. The last A/C from other groups filled our group to excess, the 100th Group going over the target with 23 4/C,
2. The Air Division assembled on course from Splasher #6 to Splasher #5 at 13,000 feet at 0950 hours, the 13th Combat Wing leading the Air Division.
3. Climb to bombing altitude was begun at Splasher #5 at 1007 hours, I.A.S, 140 on a MM. H. of 76° and altitude was reached at 1115 hours. The Air Division formation was good. As the enemy coast was crossed at 1203 hours there were several enemy fighter attacks on the low group. Shortly before the I. P. was reached, the lead group was attacked by B/A, The wing leader and 4 or 5 other A/C were shot down, scattering the lead group. The I.P. was passed before the lead group turned, making the bomb run very short. The 100th Group was about 20 seconds behind the 390th B Group when the bombs were released.
4. The 13th Combat Wing formation was fairly good shortly after the rally point was reached.
5. Some flak bursts were seen over the target and near Leuwarden on the way out. The fighter cover was late and ineffective, The enemy coast was recrossed at 1246 and descent began at 1250 hours, the English coast was recrossed at 1320, reached base at 1339, and the lead A/C landed at 1350. The last A/C had landed at 1405 hours, except for A/C #42-37715, which is missing.
6. Twenty-six A/C left the base in formation including five spares. Spare A/C no. 42-23413 turned back at 1024 hours, altitude 13,500 feet. Twentyfive A/C left the English coast. A/C no. 42-31071 aborted at 0945 hours, altitude 12,000 feet, at Clacton-on-Sea.
1. Twenty-six A/C including five spares took off from 0815 to 0835 hours. The 100th Group assembled over splasher #6 at 12,000 feet at 0920 as briefed, with the spare A/C above the Group. The 100th Group joined the 13th Combat Wing at 51 57 N, 0 53 E from the west, rather than the east as briefed. The time was 0932 hours and altitude 12,500 feet. The 100th was flying high group with the 390th A leading and the 390th B group low. The 13th Combat Wing formation was excellent. The last A/C from other groups filled our group to excess, the 100th Group going over the target with 23 4/C,
2. The Air Division assembled on course from Splasher #6 to Splasher #5 at 13,000 feet at 0950 hours, the 13th Combat Wing leading the Air Division.
3. Climb to bombing altitude was begun at Splasher #5 at 1007 hours, I.A.S, 140 on a MM. H. of 76° and altitude was reached at 1115 hours. The Air Division formation was good. As the enemy coast was crossed at 1203 hours there were several enemy fighter attacks on the low group. Shortly before the I. P. was reached, the lead group was attacked by B/A, The wing leader and 4 or 5 other A/C were shot down, scattering the lead group. The I.P. was passed before the lead group turned, making the bomb run very short. The 100th Group was about 20 seconds behind the 390th B Group when the bombs were released.
4. The 13th Combat Wing formation was fairly good shortly after the rally point was reached.
5. Some flak bursts were seen over the target and near Leuwarden on the way out. The fighter cover was late and ineffective, The enemy coast was recrossed at 1246 and descent began at 1250 hours, the English coast was recrossed at 1320, reached base at 1339, and the lead A/C landed at 1350. The last A/C had landed at 1405 hours, except for A/C #42-37715, which is missing.
6. Twenty-six A/C left the base in formation including five spares. Spare A/C no. 42-23413 turned back at 1024 hours, altitude 13,500 feet. Twentyfive A/C left the English coast. A/C no. 42-31071 aborted at 0945 hours, altitude 12,000 feet, at Clacton-on-Sea.
EMDEN MISSION, DEC 12, 1943 (cont'd)
Listed below are the members of Lt, Haddox's crew which did not return from the mission. Ut. Haddox took off as a spare, was not seen to have filled in in our group, and is believed to have filled in with some other Group,
Lt J R Haddox
Lt J L Wagner
Lt A C Warford
Lt E C Power
T/Sgt J Kobis
Listed below are the members of Lt, Haddox's crew which did not return from the mission. Ut. Haddox took off as a spare, was not seen to have filled in in our group, and is believed to have filled in with some other Group,
Lt J R Haddox
Lt J L Wagner
Lt A C Warford
Lt E C Power
T/Sgt J Kobis
T/Sgt N A Tenaglia
S/sgt G C Orta
S/sgt J A Grosskopf
S/sgt K L Morrow
Sgt L S Jones
Captain ANTHONY C. GOSPODAR, O-792459, completed his operational tour of 25 sorties on this mission. He is being retained with the Group.
Bombing Results
Bombing Results: POOR
Aircraft Lost: 1
Crew Lost: 10
Claims of Enemy Losses (CLS): 5
Aircraft Returned:
Photos
EMDEN, SUB YARDS 11 Dec 43
EMDEN, SUB YARDS 11 Dec 43, photo taken from HORNY II courtesy of Capt Tong
